WCoBM Court General followed by Annual Installation Dinner
Friday, 24th October 2025
Merchant Taylors’ Hall
30 Threadneedle Street
London EC2R 8JB
The Company will be holding its Installation Court General at Merchant Taylors’ Hall, on Friday, 24th October 2025 at 4.45pm.
At the Court General, those qualified Freemen who have indicated their intention on the online form will be admitted to the Livery. Following this, the Master-Elect, Ms Lucia Di Stazio, together with the Wardens and other officers, will be installed for the ensuing year. During the Court General, guests may enjoy a tour of Merchant Taylors’ Hall (tbc).
By tradition, we then enjoy our Annual Livery Dinner. The Master and Wardens will welcome all Liverymen and guests at 6.15pm for a Reception. Dinner will commence in the Great Hall at 7.15pm.
Our Guest Speaker for the evening will be James Thomson CBE. James is non-executive Chairman and former Chief Executive of MJ Gleeson plc, Common Councillor for the Ward of Walbrook, Past Master Grocer, Freeman of the Chartered Accountants’ Company, Board Member of City Bridge Foundation, Governor of the Board of Governors and former Chair of the City of London School, Deputy Chair and former Chair of the City of London Police Authority Board. For more information, please visit: www.jamesthomson.london
We are also delighted that members of The Company of Pikemen and Musketeers and the Band and Corps of Drums of the 3rd Battalion, The Princess of Wales’s Royal Regiment will be performing and the Beckenham & Penge Sea Cadets will be providing their traditional Carpet Guard.
Dress
More details on Protocol and Etiquette at Livery functions can be found in our Company Handbook, which you can view online here.
Tickets
Dinner tickets will cost £165 per head, including all wines at both the Reception and Dinner. You can book your tickets at the bottom of this page.
Liverymen and Freemen are urged to bring guests, but not to delay in booking through our website.
Booking must be received no later than Friday, 10th October 2025, after which no refund is permitted for non-attendance.
The Master-Elect very much looks forward to welcoming you to Merchant Taylors’ Hall on Friday 24th October on the occasion of her installation as your new Master.
Merchant Taylors’ Hall
Merchant Taylors’ Hall is a historic venue located in the City of London, serving as the seat of the Worshipful Company of Merchant Taylors, one of the Twelve Great Livery Companies. It is known for its Tudor and Georgian architecture and elegant interiors. The hall has been on its current site since 1347. For more information on its company history, please visit: www.merchant-taylors.co.uk/company-history
The Company of Pikemen and Musketeers
The Company of Pikemen & Musketeers is a ceremonial sub-unit of The Honourable Artillery Company (‘The HAC’), the oldest regiment in the British Army, which traces its origins back to a charter granted by King Henry VIII in 1537.
The Pikemen & Musketeers are uniformed and equipped as members of The HAC were in the 1640s. Governed by a Royal Warrant from the late HM The Queen, the Company is tasked with providing a ceremonial bodyguard for the Lord Mayor of the City of London, when on official business. This includes escorting the State Coach during the Lord Mayor’s Show and forming carpet guards for state banquets and dinners at Guildhall and Mansion House. The Company also provides guards for dinners at livery halls, at Armoury House, the regimental headquarters of the HAC, and provides displays of 17th century arms drill, both at home and overseas.
Only veteran members with proven efficient service in The HAC’s Army Reserve Regiment are eligible to join the Company.
Carpet Guard provided by our affiliation Beckenham & Penge Sea Cadets
Beckenham & Penge Sea Cadets is part of the UK’s oldest nautical youth charity, giving young people qualifications and experience such as sailing, windsurfing, rock climbing, camping and music to enhance teamwork, self-confidence, commitment and self-discipline.
Magical Drum Display by 3PWRR Corps of Drums
The 3rd Battalion, Princess of Wales’s Royal Regiment (3 PWRR) has a Regimental Band and Corps of Drums based at its headquarters in Canterbury. The unit plays a crucial role in preserving the regiment’s heritage and inspiring the next generation of soldiers. The Corps of Drums is known for its distinctive white colonial helmets, famously associated with the defence of Rorke’s Drift.
Musical Entertainment by London Banqueting Ensemble
The London Banqueting Ensemble was founded in 2002 by musician Steve Fletcher, a former military musician who served as principal trumpeter with the Band and Orchestra of the Royal Artillery. The Ensemble is composed of professional classical musicians and regularly performs at Livery company events and military mess functions, often featuring their signature performance of the ‘Post Horn Gallop’.